National TV Editor

Today Tonight reporter Frank Pangallo (right) being directed to the well, which is reportedly a possible resting site for Peter Falconio's remains. Photo: YouTube

The reporter behind a Today Tonight story, which claims to have found the possible resting place of missing British tourist Peter Falconio, has hit back at allegations of fraud.

Falconio, 28, has been missing since 2001 when he and girlfriend Joanne Lees were attacked while on a camping holiday through the Northern Territory.

Lees escaped their attacker but it has long been believed that Falconio died. Bradley John Murdoch is serving a life sentence for the murder and Falconio's body has never been found.

Still missing ... Peter Falconio, pictured in his van with Joanne Lees, before they were ambushed by a Bradley John Murdoch. Photo: Reuters

Today Tonight aired its "exclusive" story on Thursday night, which pointed to a well just 2.5 kms from where the attack took place as Falconio's possible grave.

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Frank Pangallo, a senior reporter and producer for Today Tonight, has been investigating the case for years and says his report is a valid lead and the "best" so far.

But shortly after the segment aired, it was pointed out the footage used to show the well's location had been filmed at least two years ago, with critics saying this made the claim fraudulent.

Up for appeal ... Bradley Murdoch was guilty of the 2001 killing of English traveller Peter Falconio. Photo: Bryan Charlton

A report on Network Ten branded the story "shameful" and Nine's David Hurley called the story a "travesty", calling on Seven and Today Tonight to "apologise unreservedly for the deliberate fraud it has perpetrated on its viewers, and hand in its practising certificate".

"And second, fearless reporter Frank Pangallo must be lowered into the well to complete his so-called investigation.”

Pangallo has hit back, saying the fact that the footage was shot in 2011 in no way diminishes the story and he'll vigorously defend in court any claims that he acted fraudulently, if need be.

"Just what's the relevance of that I shot the Falconio story in March 2011 and broadcast it now?" he said. "A conspiracy of some kind? Is it Today Tonight being sneaky and unethical? Fraud? Give me a break!

"It's my story to break when I choose. It's never been broadcast before. It's not faked. I've told the NT News, yesterday, we shot the story in March 2011. Last year we aired a series in Adelaide that I had been shooting for two years.

"We've been waiting for the (well) levels to subside so we could return to dig for some evidence. We've kept monitoring the situation since then."

Pangallo said he had been misquoted by one newspaper, which reported he had told them: "The body is there. It's there.”

"I never said that," Pangallo said. "I said, 'If there's a body down there, it would still be there'.”

Pangallo said he decided to air the story now because of recent changes in the case, including Bradley Murdoch's appeal, and that he had not called NT police before airing the story because he understood they received numerous calls from people claiming to know the location of Falconio's body.

"It's factual," he said of his report. "The new lead is significant new information.

I sat on it hoping to get more evidence but that has proven to be difficult."

He said he would seek legal advice over the fraud claims.

"I am angry and disappointed that someone would accuse me of fraud, as Nine have, or as Channel Ten today say its 'shameful' journalism," Pangallo said.

"I shall be taking legal action against those claims."

128 comments

Hey Frank, you work for Today Tonight... you'd have a hard time arguing your case against allegations of shameful journalism.

Commenter

Magstar

Location

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 12:45PM

Isn't it an offence to conceal this type of information from the Police?

Commenter

Ced

Location

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 12:53PM

(In Victoria) - It is an offence to conceal a death; Pervert the cause of justice; Make false report to Police - I don't think any of them are applicable in these circumstances

Commenter

Internet

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 2:20PM

I don't know the legal definition, but I would have thought not telling the police you have (allegedly) viable information of a concealed body would be an issue. Surely? Otherwise people would be able to get away with "oh yeah, I knew that was there, just didn't think to mention it".

Commenter

Mel

Location

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 3:44PM

Internet - it is also an offence ot hinder police and make a false report - arguably both apply here. I say that the police should charge the idiot and let a court sort it out.

Commenter

the Truth

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 6:40PM

how is it concealed?

Commenter

Lane

Location

Date and time

February 01, 2014, 8:45AM

Surely the water in the well could have been pumped out by now. Are they just trying to attract international media attention so they can do the pump 'LIVE ON AIR' and make loads of money via broadcasting rights ?

Commenter

Sam

Location

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 12:55PM

Alternatively, does the technology not exist to lower a remote underwater inspection camera into the well to take a look? Having commissioned video inspections of sewers and stormwater pipes by remote camera before, I'm pretty sure this would have been a viable option all along.

Commenter

Chris

Location

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 5:01PM

They're still arguing with Koshie on when to do it. He reckons any live broadcasts need to be televised on Sunrise.

Commenter

Anthony of Hamilton Hill

Date and time

January 31, 2014, 5:38PM

well surely the water hasn't ,or it wouldn't be credible to someone who has worked on the case for years ,would it?The location of the well ,and the fact it has never been mentioned before is interesting ,But the most telling clue is the lip stick they found ,two years later of Joannes ,along the road side ,two years later ,as absolutely as good as one just straight from the shop --not melted by extreme heat ,not blown around by wind ,not rusted by rain as far as it appeared on tv just like brand new.And yet never found at the time of the crime and despite all the intense and thorough searches done then.